Auction House Etiquette, when submitting cards for grading
 

Gentlemen I can use some guidance. Wondering about etiquette of submitting cards to an auction house for them to send to PSA.

Once the cards come back, do I have to consign the cards to the auction? I know I am liable and of course will pay the PSA costs. But I now have second thoughts of consigning the cards.

Do I have to go through with it or can I ask for the cards back after paying the PSA fees?

Interested in all your takes and perhaps an AH or two will chime in as well.

Ken- hope you get your cards back, but your gentleman opening made me think of this

https://video.search.yahoo.com/searc...i=IHYkejS2MGBc

I've never actually had an auction house send my cards in for grading, so I'm not familiar with the etiquette here.

As a general principle, until they're sold, they're yours. I do think that if you're going to demand to get them back, then you should be willing to pay for any costs of grading, handling, and postage, etc.

And there's always the possibility that this specific auction house might feel less inclined to make extraordinary concessions in the future when you want to consign items.

This may no apply to vintage as much but I did the grading with Goldin, from there site they do state you do not have to consign the cards with them. Unfortunately even though this process was supposed to speed up the sale of the cards they sat for two months before the process got started and I requested them back yesterday.

I do a lot of submissions myself so this was a case where they were cards I planned to sell and would have sent to them anyway so it was just easier to not put out the money before hand, however they screwed it up and that was the end for me.

I guess my question would be why are you having an auction house do the submission if you aren't selling. I don't like losing control of the cards and I feel there is a strong likely hood 1 card was damage but I can't say by who or when so I am stuck there.

Anyway just my thoughts

James G

I guess that's a question you need to ask the particular AH. I doubt they want to be entrusted with handling submissions just so you can take the cards back and maybe sell them elsewhere.

Most auction houses will get cards graded IF you consign the cards to one of their auctions. They can get them graded much quicker than usual but still you have to wait for the auction to take place, usually 2 months or so, and then 45 days to get paid minus the grading fees and seller fees.

If you are not sure you want to consign them, I would just submit them as others have suggested. If you decide to consign later, the grading fees have already been absorbed by you so you don't have to worry about it.

My take is what does your contract with the auction house state? Was consigning a part of the agreement to get them graded?

Also, what's your relationship with this AH like? First time dealing with them or have you been a regular buyer/consignor for years? Are you consigning anything else? or is it an all or nothing?

Auction houses are in the business of running auctions, not submitting your cards for grading. They do that as a service for consignors. I'm not sure if they even have to give your cards back once consigned but if they do send them back I doubt they will ever deal with you again. Bottom line--asking for them back would be bad form unless there was a preexisting agreement concerning this.

This!

What does your contract say?

These types of questions are best if asked directly to the Auction House you're using to submit your cards for grading prior to you sending them.

If you are crushed about the grade -- thought it would be a 7 and it comes back a 4.5 - possibly you could decide not to sell and could just reimburse AH. But best to discuss this ahead of time. I have had an AH submit stuff for me but it was always with the understanding that they were selling it. In fact pretty sure signed a consigning contract before they even submitted it.

I work for an AH and as part of the signed contract you are obligated to sell the cards. There have been circumstances where we have made returns but those are few and far between. Changing your mind because you don’t like the grades or had a change of heart will probably spell the end of our relationship.

Did you sign a contract? What does it say?

100%

Thanks guys for the input. Very appreciative of everyone taking the time conveying their thoughts. Just gonna let the cards proceed through the auction.

Graded cards
 

Thanks guys for the input. Very appreciative of everyone taking the time conveying their thoughts. Just gonna let the cards proceed through the auction.

Best of luck on your results.